Walking Liberty Half Dollar

1941 LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR obverse (photo by Woody1778a*)

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was designed by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman in 1916 and was minted from 1916 to 1945.  It weighs 12.50 grams, 30.6mm diameter, and 1.8mm thick.  It's made of 90% silver and 10% copper and minted in Denver (mint marked D), San Francisco (mint marked S) and Philadelphia (showing no mint mark).  The Edge is reeded.

Auctions Close to Melt Values

1942 walking liberty half dollar $10.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 37m

1942-P Philadelphia Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar circulated, free ship $10.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 53m

1943-P Philadelphia Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar circulated, free ship $10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 58m

1944-P Philadelphia Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar circulated, free ship $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 1m

1945-P Philadelphia Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar circulated, free ship $10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 3m

1941-P Philadelphia Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar circulated, free ship $10.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 8m

1917 S WALKING LIBERTY SILVER HALF DOLLAR!!! $10.99 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 38m

1934 S WALKING LIBERTY SILVER HALF DOLLAR!!! $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 40m

1934 WALKING LIBERTY SILVER HALF DOLLAR!!! $9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 42m

The obverse has the walking Liberty carrying branches facing left and the United States flag over her shoulder.  The sun with rays is on the lower left and the date is centered directly under liberty.  “IN GOD WE TRUST” is on the right and “LIBERTY” encircles the top of this silver coin.  This design was adapted for use on the obverse of the 1986 American Silver Eagle bullion dollar which is still being minted.  The mint marks in 1916 were located under the “TR” of the “In God We Trust” mote.  The mint marks were relocated to the reverse in 1917, however some of the 1917 silver coins have it on the obverse.

The reverse has a walking bald eagle facing left with opened wings and a small tree to the left.  The denomination; “HALF DOLLAR” is written encircling underneath the eagle. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is written encircling above.  “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is to the left of the eagle.  In 1917 the mint marks were sometimes put under the tree and in 1918 to 1947 all mint marks were located under the tree.

Adolph A. Weinman was a sculptor by trade.  In 1915 the United States Mint Director Robert W. Wolley thought he needed new designs for the half dollar, quarter, and dime.  He was dissatisfied with those put forward by the mints engravers and asked three sculptors to draw up design proposals.  Weinman’s was selected for the half dollar, and the dime.  US Mint engrave George T. Morgan (designer of the Morgan dollar) helped Weinman in 1918 with various design issues.

1941 LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR reverse (photo by woody1778a*)

Even though this is a much loved design both Liberty and the bald eagle show wear even in ‘Very Fine’ condition.  This was a situation that they tried to correct during the years of minting by working on the roller that produces the master dies.  It seems best to look at the lettering to differentiate the various grades of ‘Poor’ through ‘Good’.  For ‘Very Good’ to ‘Extremely Fine’ use the eagles’ wing and Liberty’s branches.  In general these surfaces will correspond with the general wear description.

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar silver coins series has a few collectible errors. The 1928 S has a large and small mint mark variation.  This silver coin also has premium mint years - one being the 1921 Denver (246,000 minted) and Philadelphia (208,000 minted). Most year's mintings run well over a million silver half dollar coins.

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